The Firmin René Desloge Prize in Economics
The Firmin René Desloge
Prize in Economics
The Firmin René Desloge Prize in Economics, named for one of America’s most successful and prominent businessmen of the early 19th century who made Southeast Missouri his home, endeavors to connect students with community and business leaders in Sainte Genevieve County for the purpose of producing original economic research with practical utility for the region’s growth and development.
Students whose contribution to this work proves to be of exceptional value are eligible to receive the Desloge Prize in Economics, which includes a scholarship, an opportunity to participate in an event presenting the research to the public, and the chance to have their research published.
Our Namesake
Firmin René Desloge (1803–1856) was a French-American entrepreneur whose life and work left an enduring mark on the mining and industrial sectors in the United States.
Born in Nantes, France, he immigrated to America in 1822 and settled in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, one of the earliest French colonial settlements in the region. In Sainte Genevieve, Desloge began his career as a merchant and became deeply involved in the community.
The town's rich lead mining history and proximity to the Mississippi River made it an ideal base for Desloge’s ventures. He soon transitioned into mining, where he recognized the potential of Missouri’s lead deposits and began acquiring and developing mining properties.
Desloge’s mining operations in Sainte Genevieve laid the foundation for what would later become the Desloge Consolidated Lead Company. His business activities helped stimulate the local economy, and his leadership earned him a respected place in the community.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Desloge contributed to the region's infrastructure and supported civic initiatives, embodying a spirit of community-oriented growth. His time in Sainte Genevieve was pivotal in shaping his legacy, which his descendants expanded through large-scale industrial endeavors in Missouri’s Old Lead Belt.
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